This coyote was spotted recently in the 600 block of 19th St. E. (submitted photo/ Landon Zanidean)

By Nigel Maxwell

Pest precautions

Coyote sightings in Prince Albert

Dec 19, 2019 | 12:00 PM

Several sightings of coyotes in Prince Albert over the past month has prompted the city to remind residents to be extra careful and follow bylaws.

One of the most recent incidents occurred in the 600 block of 19th St. W., but according to Bylaw Manager Suzanne Stubbs, she also knows there’s at least one coyote roaming in the area behind St. Francis School.

“I do live in that area and you do hear them at night, so you know they are out there,” she said.

Due to the multiple reports coming from the same areas, Stubbs said she believes it’s likely one or two coyotes the bylaw team has not apprehended. In terms of what residents can do to avoid coyotes, Stubbs said residents need to take away the temptation for food, such as not letting garbage containers overflow, or allowing cats to wander freely.

“That becomes food for the coyotes so people who are letting their cats run around, that’s gonna draw [the coyotes] back into the city as well,” she said.

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Special Const. Tyler Russell told paNOW it’s also a good idea for pet owners to make sure they are not leaving any food outside. Russell and other team members were able to catch one coyote in recent weeks, which showed signs of mange, a skin disease which can lead to aggressive behaviour. Russell told paNOW it’s unlikely any one coyote will attack a person.

“They are quite weak so most of the time they will bunker down somewhere they think is safe and fall asleep and someone walking on the rotary trail or out in a field might happen to come close to them and spook them,” he said.

Russell said people who are out walking just need to be aware of their surroundings, and to make lots of noise if they are going out to the areas where coyotes have been spotted.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell